JOHN WILLMAN AND MIKE KELLNER WIN SEASON OPENING NASCAR FEATURES AT GRANDVIEW SPEEDWAY

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Bechtelsville, PA With a huge crowd looking on John Willman was able to drive his Install America/EZ Release Pro Shop No. 74W to victory in the 30-lap NASCAR Whelen All American Series 358 Modified feature race at Grandview Speedway on Saturday night. The 20-lap feature for NASCAR Late Models was won by young Mike Kellner in the Watash Speed Shop No. 57. Billy Pauch Jr. put the Eastern Rigging No. 11 in front of the 29 car Modified starting field at the drop of the green and set the pace for the early laps. On the fourth circuit of the one-third-mile, banked clay oval Ryan Godown charged to the front and the Ringoes, NJ racer looked like he was well on his way to a win until the 17th lap when a flat tire sent him to the pits and gave the lead back to Pauch. At 18 laps John Willman was able to grab the top spot on a restart after a caution.

At 22 laps Godown had a wheel come off putting him out of action for good. On the restart after the caution for Godown Willman was again able to charge to the front holding off the strong effort of Duane Howard. At the finish Willman (Birdsboro) was just a narrow margin in front of Howard (Oley) earning just his second career victory at Grandview Speedway. Third spot went to Doug Man miller (Shoemakersville) followed by Meme DeSantis (Temple) and Billy Pauch Jr. (Frenchtown, NJ).

Craig VonDohren and several other top performers were sidelined as a result of a 14 car accident in the first turn on the 15th lap.

The 20-lap Late Model feature had Mike Kellner (Lansdale ) grabbing the lead on the drop of the green flag and leading all the laps to make it look somewhat easy as he took his 15th career win on the Bechtelsville oval. Randy Stoudt (Pottstown), the all time career Late Model feature winner amongst active drivers, finished second. Danny Snyder (Green Lane) an early challenger settled for third followed by Chuck Schutz (Pottstown) and Kyle Merkel (Gilbertsville).

The win for Kellner was the 94th feature win for a member of the Kellner family. Jon Sr., Jon Jr., Don and Mike have all been feature winners.

Heat wins for the Late Model racers went to Mike Kellner, Danny Snyder and Randy Stoudt. Qualifying event wins for the Modifieds were earned by Billy Pauch Jr., John Willman, Mike Gular, Ryan Godown and Duane Howard. Consolation victories went to Danny Erb, Meme DeSantis and Brian Lilick.

Cargo Trailer Sales of Lansdale presented $50 gift certificates to the 10th place finishers in each feature. Mike Gular earned it in the Modified feature while Kurt Spotts earned it in the Late Model feature. The Dan’s Deli Halfway Leader Hoagie Awards went to Ryan Godown in the Modifieds and Mike Kellner in the Late Models.

Auto racing action returns to the Grandview Speedway on Saturday, April 10th at 7 p.m. with a 40-lap feature for the 358 Modifieds topping the show and paying $4,000 to win. The NASCAR Late Models will also be part of the doubleheader action.

Then on Sunday, April 11th at 2 p.m. the first of eight appearances for the NEETS Enduro competitors will take place along with the open cockpit SpeedSTRs. Eight time track champion Jeff Strunk is scheduled to race with the SpeedSTRS.

Reasonably priced opportunities to market through motorsports at Grandview Speedway are available by contacting Ernie Saxton Communications, Inc. at 215.752.7797. A color brochure outlining all the opportunities is available upon request.

Grandview Speedway is located at 43 Passmore Road in Bechtelsville, PA, just a short distance off Route 100, 10 miles north of Pottstown. For information telephone 610.754.7688 or check in at www.grandviewspeedway.com